Where is Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei? A Russian envoy shares new details

A media report from last month stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was transported to Moscow for medical care at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It has been nearly a month since Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, yet the world has not seen him in public. Since then, he has issued several public statements, which have been read out on national television. However, his absence from the public eye has fueled rumors regarding his health and whereabouts.

Putting an end to the speculation, a Russian ambassador has stated that Mojtaba Khamenei remains within Iran.

Russia’s Ambassador to Iran, Alexey Dedov, told the news outlet RTVI that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is indeed in the country but is avoiding public appearances for “understandable reasons.”

Speculation Surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei’s Whereabouts

Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, at the onset of the conflict. The U.S. has indicated that it believes the new Supreme Leader himself sustained injuries and may have suffered “facial disfigurement.”

One media report also claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei had been sent to Moscow for medical treatment at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia and Iran share close diplomatic ties, and last year, the two nations signed a strategic partnership treaty.

Moscow’s statement regarding Mojtaba’s presence in Iran underscores its continued engagement with Tehran, notwithstanding the uncertainties surrounding the leadership.

Khamenei’s prolonged absence has not dampened the fervor of those loyal to the Islamic regime; last month, thousands took to the streets to demonstrate their allegiance.

This pledge has evolved into a rallying cry, as Iran has responded to attacks by the US and Israel with retaliatory strikes against enemy positions in the Gulf.

Nevertheless, the continued absence of Iran’s new leader has raised a profound question: who is actually running the country during this time of war?

For nearly four decades, the 56-year-old cleric operated largely behind the scenes during his father’s rule—exerting influence, yet rarely appearing in public.

According to a CNN report, despite now holding the most powerful office in Iran, his persistent invisibility underscores the shifting nature of power within the Islamic Republic—a system where institutions and security bodies may hold greater sway than the individual seated at the very top.